I think of all
the qualities a Christian can possess, certainly God must put a premium on
Excellence.
One of the
greatest athletes of our time, Michael Jordan, is so thoroughly aware of this
quality. During his high school years people came from fifty and sixty miles
away, just to see him play “the game of hoops.” Excellence seemed to exude from
his veins.
High school was
over, and Michael had the opportunity to attend college. There was never any
other choice for him. He enrolled at The University of North Carolina.
In a conference
with his coach, the man said, “Michael you’re going to have to play hard.
You’re not in high school any longer.” Jordan responded with “Coach, I’ll work
as hard as anyone else here.” Smiling the man responded, “Mike, do you want to
be like everyone else?” He didn’t. Who can forget those gravity-defying shots?
Who can forget his thirty and forty point games? I never had a taste for
basketball, but watching Michael has always been a treat.
Throughout the
years, our hero has been the Model Par Excellence, the Mold, The Standard. But
not just in the game of basketball.
Granted, he has made mistakes, like the
rest of us. At times, during especially contentious games, he got into fights
with opposing team members. But, as his teammates can tell you, time after
time, after things cooled down, he would apologize.
One reporter, Andrea Kremer of ESPN,
tells a compelling story.
“My
Mom had recently died, and I had just finished covering one of Jordan’s games.
A swirl of players, fans, and reporters were trailing off through a nearby
exit, while I chose a different route, and began to walk down a darkened
hallway.
I heard someone
behind me, and turned my head. It was Michael. He had left the clamoring
throng, and followed me into the
exit. His grace surprised me, for he suddenly said, ‘Andrea, I’m so sorry to
hear about your Mom.’”
Then there was a
time that Jordan tried a new game; Baseball. The minor leagues beckoned him,
but did not bless him. Even here, he gave it his all. But failed to succeed.
Greatness never guarantees success, but success is elusive without it.
Excellence.
I long to be a man
of excellence. There’s far too few to go around.
By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 13. Volumes 1-15, Copyright 2015.
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